The beautiful panorama is normally the reward only once you’ve climbed up to the highest point of a tour. Not on this hike to the Astjoch ridge: here there is a viewing platform right where you start in the Zumis car park. But don’t let this hold you back from the hike itself, as a wealth of wonderful routes await you, crossing wide open meadows and pastures before finally reaching the Astjoch ridge itself. High above the Lüsner Tal valley, it boasts exceptionally wide views of the main crest of the Alps, over the Pustertal valley and as far as the Dolomites. To help you get your bearings, the names of the countless mountain ranges and peaks that you can see have been engraved into a stone slab in the ground. A large part of the hike passes through nature conservation areas, where farmed mountain pastures alternate with upland moors and little marshy valley cuttings. The route also promises a number of curiosities to enjoy on the way, such as the little Alpine chapel at Pianer Kreuz, the foundation stone of which was consecrated by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, former Pope Benedict XVI. The hike to the Astjoch ridge starts, as already mentioned, at 1,775 m at the Zumis car park. The route takes you along the so-called Confinweg trail (no. 4) to the Ronerhütte mountain hut (refreshments available) and from there on trail no. 2 to the aforementioned chapel at the Pianer Kreuz, where there is a viewing platform in a nearby clearing. Continue to the Starkenfeldhütte mountain hut (refreshments available) at 1,936 m and from there it is a moderate climb on trail no. 67 to the highest point of the hike, the Astjoch ridge at 2,193 m. After enjoying the panoramic view, you descend on trail no. 12 to the Kreuzwiesenhütte mountain hut (refreshments available) and back to the Zumis car park on trail nos. 2A, 2 and finally back on the Confinweg trail.